Columbia College Golf Teams 'Adopt' Families for Holidays

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COLUMBIA -- Columbia College golf teams have partnered with the Voluntary Action Center this holiday season to provide gifts for families in need through the adopt-a-family program.

The program, now in its 29th year, allows organizations and people to sponsor families. This year, more than 1,100 Columbia families were "adopted."

"This was something that our team captains suggested and we thought would be a really great way for our athletes to give back to the community," said Denaye Dollens-Spurling, an assistant coach on the men's and women's teams. "It was nice for the team to have a chance to work together toward a greater cause."

After receiving the names and ages of their "adopted" family members, Cougar players and coaches purchased and collected items including clothes, linens, towels, blankets, socks and small kitchen appliances. They also gathered toys and sporting goods in addition to providing each family with a Hy-Vee gift card to purchase meals.

"I think it was really good for everyone on the team to do something like this," men's captain Hunter Parrish said. "Not only was it for a good cause, but it reminded us how fortunate we are."